Invasion of Fort York April 27th, 1813
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Transcript of Invasion of Fort York April 27th, 1813
April 27th 2013
Leaders, Fools and Opportunists Invasion of Muddy York
Presentation Glenn McKnight and Robert Bell,
FBSC
Welcome everyone to our series on the War of 1812
Leaders, Fools and Opportuniists summarizes the range of participants in the war.Some fought and died for a cause. Some didn't
British
8,600 Deaths
Early capture of Fort Dearborn, Michilimackinac, Fort Detroit, Fort Niagara and much of eastern Maine
1523 ships captured
Many prisoners
25 Million pounds to the national debt
Canada
Unknown death Toll of Militia and citizens
Untold personal property loss from burning and looting of property
Human pain and suffering
Cost of the War
US
11,600 Deaths
Captured Amherstburg and Sandwich (now Windsor
$90 million dollars or 2.2% of GDP or 1.553 Trillion
The US Senate figured it would cost another $56 million to continue the war and the US Treasury only had $15 million
1,523 US Ships seized during the war
Serious financial loss to commerce in the New England states
Near bankruptcy
The war has been waging since April 16th and we are looking for men between 15 and 65 to join the local militia .It;s your civic duty Fame and fortune awaits you
Big Picture of the War
Invasion of York
Local Oshawa Response
Impact of the War
Table of Contents
Our presentation will deal with the above
The Project
Heritage Canada selected the Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities, FBSC to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812
Website. Mobile Phone app's. Mobile Augmented Reality Videos, Historical Geocaching, Audio recordings and presentations
The Big Picture
It's been 10 months since the war was declared.
Fort Mickalac was captured on General Brock and Techumsch captured Fort Detroit on ____ General Brock was killed in October 1012 at Queenston Heights
It was now time to bring the US military to bear on the sleeping town of Muddy York General Dearborn and his 'posse' prepared for the onslaught
The US expansion was seriously curtailed to the west by the native americans. Tribes such as the Chickasaw, Shawnee, Miami, Chippewa, Ojibwi and Patawatomi
British support to these tribes with trade guns, supplies and moral support infuriated the Americans
Migration into Upper Canada was easier and desired
Strike wherever we can reach the enemy, at sea and on land. But if we fail, let us fail like men, lash ourselves to our gallant gars, and expire together in one common struggle, fighting for free trade and seaman's rights.
Henry Clay,
House Speaker, US SenateDuring the War of 1812
The War Hawks in the US lead by Henry Clay was anxious to strike at the British.
A major grievance being the empressment of US citizens by the British navy into the growing British navy.
From 1803 the British had an major naval embargo on the European ports stopping all US trade to the continent seriously hurting the US trade and commerce
AmericaPresident James Madison declared war on June 16, 1812
Divided country on the war effort with New England states in opposition
Major reason for declarationAngry over the impressment of US Sailors into the British Navy
Military Preparedness
An army of less than 12,000
A navy of 16 ships
Poor military leadership
OverconfidentAccording to Pres. Thomas Jefferson, The war was a `mere march to Montreal
American Perspective
BritainDue to the assassination of the British Prime Minister the British didn't declare war until late December 1812
Preoccupied with a long war in Europe against Napoleon 1803-1815.
Britain was the most powerful empire in the world, with
An army of 48,000
A navy of 600 warships
But .......only 1500 British soldiers in Upper Canada
British Perspective of War
Upper Canada and Lower Canada, Newfoundland and the Maritimes had a few forts and ________professional soldiers
The defence of Canada was a major concern
The Aggressors8 million Americans
Three types of soldiers,
The Idealist, Opportunists and the Blood Thirsty
The Targets500,000 Total settlers
80,000 Upper Canada settlers35,000 Loyalist
25,000 Later Loyalist
20,000 Direct British
3/4 former Americans
14,000 Militia
10,000 Natives
The Protagonists
June 16 Declaration of WarJuly 17 Capture of Fort MackinacAugust 15 Fort Dearborn (Chicago)August 16 Fort DetroitSeptember 3-6 Western Raids
1813
October 13 Queenston Heights
January 22 FrenchtownApril 27 York (Toronto)
1
Battles Leading Up
Founded by Sir John Graves Simcoe in 1789 as the capital of Upper Canada
625 population
Undetermined number of hogs, sheep and other misc. cattle
The civil administrator was the successor to Sir. Issac Brock was Major General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe
Life in Muddy York
Built in 1793
Size of garrison 200 regular troops
Artillery3 - 12 pounders
3 - 18 pounders (obsolete)
Fort York
On April 26, the American invasion forces of 14 ships were spotted from Scarborough Bluffs sailing from the east
Militia was summoned by the signal cannon
Sheaffe confident that battle would start early next day and took little action
Attack started at 8 am
Invasion of York
On April 27th, 1813 Admiral Chauncey and General Dearborn sailed into York with a fleet of 14 ships and 2,500 men
300 British regulars, 300 militia and 100 natives
Main prize to seize the Sir Issac Brock warship under construction
Invasion of York
Death of
Gen. Zebulon Pike
The troops under Major General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe spiked the cannons and mustered their troops and fled out of YorkOnly the regulars knew of the order
A massive explosion from the gunpower magazine killed or wounded 250 Americans
Explosion was heard as far at Fort George and Oshawa
Fatal Explosion
Three Times a Charm
The Americans attacked two more times and on the third and final visit they were repelled
Leadership
in Crisis
Major General Sheaffe and his 150 troops of British regulars plus militia made haste out of York, burning the Don Bridge
The citizens abandoned!
Fools
General SheafTe began to think intently of his own safety. Mounting his horse he rides eastward, down King Street towards Kingston, and leaves his troops to follow more leisurely on foot. It is twelve miles from Toronto to Scarborough, where Levi Annis lived at his hotel. His testimony was that General Sheaffe appeared before his hotel door with his horse quite done up, and covered with foam. On going to the door and asking as to the trouble
Retreating soldiers stayed at the Lynde House which was one of the Dispatch Stations They were robbed by the soldiers of 83 pounds.
Lynde Family in Whitby
General SheafTe began to think intently of his own safety. Mounting his horse he rides eastward, down King Street towards Kingston, and leaves his troops to follow more leisurely on foot. It is twelve miles from Toronto to Scarborough, where Levi Annis lived at his hotel. His testimony was that General Sheaffe appeared before his hotel door with his horse quite done up, and covered with foam. On going to the door and asking as to the trouble
Leaders
The wreck of the Speedy in 1804 created a power vacuum. Now the rapid retreat of the British and Militia and the looting of the American troops required strong leadership.
One man stands out:
Rev Dr John Strachan
General SheafTe began to think intently of his own safety. Mounting his horse he rides eastward, down King Street towards Kingston, and leaves his troops to follow more leisurely on foot. It is twelve miles from Toronto to Scarborough, where Levi Annis lived at his hotel. His testimony was that General Sheaffe appeared before his hotel door with his horse quite done up, and covered with foam. On going to the door and asking as to the trouble
Bisl a
Local
Oshawa
Response
The cannon fire was heard as far as Oshawa
A group of local militia rushed to defend York
Local farmers reported seeing the British and militia fleeing from York
Local Response
Moode Farewell and Wife
The cannon fire and explosion was heard at Moode Farewell tavern
Roger Conant and othes hauled canon to the defesne of York
Local Involvement
Local Oshawa militia upon arrival at Muddy York were immediately captured by the Americans
The York Militia records show that militia men participated
They were imprisoned for a few days then paroled.
The Americans left on May 2nd,
Opportunists
Occupation lasted five days
Before leaving they burned the legislative buildings and looted homes and businesses
Upon Americans retreat they and opened the store house and distributed goods
Impact
Total killed or wounded in the six-hour battle were 157 British and 320 Americans.5 Natives killed , inc. Two chiefs5 Natives wounded5 Militia killed 5 Militia wounded22 Number of claims for losses
Retaliation for
Burning
of
York
Impact of the War
Americans
Huge financial cost
Unsuccessful in campaign
Formation of a professional army
Licence to expand west
Open season on Native lands
Building of the Erie Canal
Bolster US manufacturing and cotton production
Canadians
Birth of legends
Forging of an identity
Military experience proved to be critical in the formation of communities
Building and completion of the Rideau Canal to bypass the St Lawrence in 1832 from US blockade
Tougher stance on US immigration and intolerance to Republican sentiments
Seeds set for the Rebellion of 1837
Website www.1812waroshawa.com
Historical Geocaching
Augmented Reality
10 Part Video Series
Video Series
Propaganda and an American Soldier
Robbery of Local Homestead by Militia
Compensation to local farmers
US POW Camp
Conant`s Gold
Attack on Oshawa Harbour
Tecumseh
The Amputation
General Issac Brock
Mary Henry, The other Heroine
Augmented Reality
All five of the Geocache locations have a short AR video viewable from a smart phone
Mobile Application
Apps for Android and Iphone applications for your Smart phone
Available at ITUNES and GOOGLE PLAY
FREE
IPAD Mobile Application
A free IPAD App focused on Historical Geocaching
Available at ITUNES
FREE
Thanks
Heritage CanadaFoundation for Building Sustainable Communities Oshawa Community MuseumImperial Arts ProductionsOshawa Little TheatrePickering VillageClarington MuseumDigital Deceptions
Upcoming
Doors Open Oshawa on September 21st come see our demonstration gardens of the War of 1812 and the Three Sisters Native plantings at the Canadian Victory Garden At Winchester (West of Simcoe Streets)
Learn More
To learn more about FBSC Projects visit Http://www.fbsc.org